Exclusive Boxing Interview: Diego Corrales

Diego “Chico” Corrales: “I Know I Got One More In Me!”

SaddoBoxing had the privilege to speak with WBC Lightweight Champion Diego “Chico” Corrales, 40-3 (33), recently to hear his views on his up coming third fight with Joel Casamayor, scheduled to take place on a Gary Shaw promotion at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on a Showtime broadcast. As always, Diego was truthful and humble, yet has the confidence he needs to continue to be the top lightweight in the world. With a limited amount of fights left in him, Corrales knows exactly how he wants to finish up a great career.

Click for larger image © Tom Casino Showtime Boxing

Read on for a great interview, only on SaddoBoxing.com!

SaddoBoxing: Diego, thanks for your time; how is everything? How are you feeling?

Diego Corrales: “I’m feeling good, I’m happy and in shape.”

SB: So, this is fight number three with Casamayor; rematches and trilogies are becoming your thing, lol. Is this the fight you wanted?

DC: “I fight whoever is out there; he (Casamayor) was the best guy out there to fight, so that’s why we went with it.”

SB: Castillo was going to be the obvious guy but I guess the weight issue was the problem. Do you think that he could have made weight for just this fight? Or maybe he figured you guys were one and one why risk it and go at it again?

DC: “Well, I think he could have. It was for one fight, but that is just my opinion. The last fight, I let it go but I wasn’t going to do that again. I told him either make weight or no fight. He didn’t make the weight. Why should I have fought him if he can’t make the weight? It’s a lightweight fight come in at the limit.”

SB: If Castillo made weight, do you think another fight would have happened with Casamayor anyway?

DC: “I don’t know if a fight with Castillo is what we were going for, but it didn’t happen. Maybe there would have been one with Casamayor later on, but Castillo is who we were going for. But right now, I am focused on Casamayor and the seventh (of October).”

SB: I asked Casamayor if he felt that the lightweight limit favored you, seeing how you’re the bigger guy and the last time you guys fought it was at super featherweight. He said he will be the stronger of the two of you. What do you think?

DC: “I am the best lightweight in the world right now. On October seventh, I will show that. I know who is stronger. Like they say, the proof is in the pudding and I have proved it. I guess we will just have to see.”

SB: Casamayor says that your last two fights were one’s in which you were brutalized in and that this is in his favor, making the fight easier on him. What do you think?

DC: “Like I said, that’s his opinion. He will find out on the seventh. I don’t think so. I am the best 135 lb fighter in the world, not him. We will see how that works out. I don’t see it, but when we step into the ring that will tell us.”

SB: I have always said that next to Arturo Gatti, in my opinion, you’re one of the most exciting guys out there as you have always had that “never say die” attitude. Even in the Mayweather fight, you just kept coming. You’re 29 years old now, not old by today’s fighter standards, but some of your bouts have been all out wars and a guy can only take so many of those. Do you think you have many of those types of fights left in you?

DC: “I don’t know, but I know this: I have one left! If I have to, it will be this one. I know that you can only have so many in you. I know I have had my share and the body will only take so many. I can’t keep doing this, but right now I have some left in me. I don’t know how many but I do know I have at least one.”

SB: I remember you as an up and comer and I saw your fight at the Inglewood Forum against Sal Montes, back in 1997. Did you ever think then that you would reach the heights you have attained today?

DC: “No, never. I wanted to be successful and a champion, but I never dreamed I would go this far. Who really thinks that they could make it this big? I never thought so, I just wanted a good career but I never thought it would go this big.”

SB: What’s next for you after this? Do you have anyone in sight? If it’s up to you, who will you fight next?

DC: “Right now I am just focused on this fight and the seventh. After that, I don’t really know. You can expect big things from me over the next year, though. It’s all mega fights from here on out.”

SB: If you could choose one fight before you retire, who would it be against?

DC: “It doesn’t matter, whoever is next. If I had to chose, I would want one more with Mayweather and one with Castillo. Those two would be the last two.”

SB: With Floyd at 147, do you think maybe you guys could meet at a catch weight, maybe 140?

DC: “No, I would go to 147 for that fight if that’s what I needed to do. It doesn’t matter to me, I just want the fight. I would want Floyd first, then Castillo.”

SB: Any predictions on Mayweather’s up coming fight with Carlos Baldomir? Do you think he will move up in weight afterward?

DC: “No, but I don’t think he will be able to move up any more. Eventually, the size will get to him; you can only go up so far. I think he will win this fight, but he isn’t going up any higher. His mouth will write checks the rest of him can’t cash.”

SB: Diego on behalf of myself and SaddoBoxing, thank you for your time. I wish you luck on the seventh and whatever else comes after it for you.

DC: “Thank you, anytime, I appreciate it.”